1958 Thomas Cup Winners Welcomed Like Heroes
JAKARTA - Indonesia was once considered to be "onion kid" in the world's badminton map. At the Thomas Cup in Singapore 1958, for example. Indonesian men's team is not expected. But the seven badminton players nicknamed the Magnificent Seven silenced them all. Indonesia won the gold cup which became a symbol of the supremacy of the men's team badminton world. All Indonesian people then welcomed their return like national heroes.
The development of badminton in the country has a long way to go. For opponents, the big dream of Indonesian badminton athletes in the 1960s era to be successful was a mere hoax. Moreover, Indonesia's position is always overshadowed by the achievements of the Malayan (Malaysia) badminton players who have participated in the world of badminton frquently.
Therefore, there is no opportunity for national badminton team to make the nation proud. If there is a victory, then the victory is only on a national scale, not the world. The "onion kid" narrative is in fact so imprinted on the national badminton players. The desire to show Indonesia's fangs in the world of badminton appeared immediately.
The 1958 Thomas Cup was chosen as the medium. Unfortunately, the mission is not easy. The absence of abundant funds to support badminton is like a thorn in the flesh. The solution appeared. They are trying to raise funds.
The Indonesian squad was then occupied by the best Indonesian badminton players: Tan Joe Hok (Bandung), Eddy Joesoef (Jakarta), Lie Poo Djian (Purwokerto), Tan King Gwan (Salatiga), Njoo Kiem Bie (Surabaya), and Olich Solichin (Tasikmalaya). Finally, to complete the squad, there was a suggestion to repatriate Ferry Sonneville who was studying in the Netherlands. For the sake of the mission, fundraising was carried out.
"Indonesian players are respected. A new country with strong badminton was born, accompanying the United States (which later sank), England, Denmark, Malaya, and Thailand. The era of badminton for Indonesia is starting to unfold.”
“What should be noted is that, in that era, there were no abundant funds. Everything is mediocre. Even to bring in Ferry from the Netherlands, tickets were purchased with funds collected through the 'Sonnevile Ferry Wallet' which was opened by Star Weekly magazine. All matters relating to funding are the responsibility of all coaches, all of whom are ready to sacrifice for the sake of the team's departure,” said Brigita Isworo L. and TD Asmadi in the book 1000 Tahun Nusantara (1000 Years of Nusantara), 2000.
The seven badminton players were then known as the Magnificent Seven. They turned into the most frightening force in the Thomas Cup title. At the same time, to support accommodation while in Singapore, the Indonesian people who live there work hand in hand to help Indonesian athletes.
The rest, other needs rely on personal capital of badminton. This series of limitations finally bears sweet fruit. The passionate spirit of the "seven heroes" was able to beat the defending champion Malaya in the final with a score of 6-3 on 15 June 1958. This victory became Indonesia's first victory in the Thomas Cup.
“This can be proven by the experiences of our badminton heroes in 1958, in the fight for the Thomas Cup. Our team, which came to Malaya in 1958, was underestimated by the badminton world. In fact, by the press there, Joe Hok - Ferry and team was given the nickname 'onion kid'."
"Our heroes bravely and with big souls received these cynical nicknames, and always put their trust in God Almighty and advanced to the battlefield, which in the end was the golden trophy symbolizing the supremacy of the world badminton men's team known as the Thomas Cup in 1958, it was in the hands of Indonesia," wrote an article in the Mimbar Penerangan magazine entitled Sekilas Tentang Thomas Cup ke-7 di Jakarta (A Brief About the 7th Thomas Cup in Jakarta), 1967.
Welcomed like a hero
The Magnificent Seven's victory brought Indonesia to the attention of the world. News of their victory resonated throughout the country. Then the world. Even the victory grew rapidly by word of mouth of the Indonesian people.
Every Indonesian people at least always review the success of the seven badminton heroes in their daily conversations, until the past month. Especially, because badminton has become the savior of Indonesia's face in the eyes of the world.
Because, there is no sport that can lift the image of Indonesia other than badminton. Therefore, the return of the Magnificent Seven immediately became a byword.
“In the midst of the hustle and bustle of the PRRI/Permesta rebellion, there was an event that made all Indonesians very proud. On June 15, 1958, for the first time, the Indonesian badminton team succeeded in stealing the Thomas Cup which became a symbol of international badminton supremacy. The Indonesian team managed to beat Team Malaya 6-3.”
“The arrival of the team consisting of Ferry Sonneville (captain), Tan Joe Hok, Lie Po Djian, Tan King Gwan, Njoo Kiem Bie, Eddy Jusuf, Tio Tjoe Djen, Tan Thiam Beng, Rameli Rikin (non-playing captain), and R. Jusuf (team management) at Kemayoran Airport received a warm welcome from the residents of Jakarta."
"All the way from Kemayoran Airport to the Merdeka Palace, where the entire team will be received by President Sukarno for a full audience by the people who welcomed the badminton heroes," said Benny G Setiono in the book entitled Tionghoa dalam Pusaran Politik (Tionghoa In Circle Of Politic), 2008.
Historian Ravando Lie believes in that. According to him, the surprise of the victory for the Indonesian badminton team was enthusiastically welcomed by all Indonesian people. They were greeted along the way like heroes.
Because of that, the Magnificent Seven's victory looks like the victory of all the Indonesian people. Congratulations came from everywhere. From president to commoners. Even though no bonus was promised -- because it didn't even cross their minds -- the seven warriors were still rejoicing.
The government did not remain silent. So that the spirit of the Magnificent Seven spreads and inspires the common people. The government also did not forget to create a special committee to hold the Thomas Cup parade in big cities: Jakarta, Bandung, and Surabaya.
The popularity of the seven badminton warriors is increasing. Each mass media always proclaim their victory. After all, the faces of the Magnificent Seven were plastered on various billboards on the corners of the streets of the capital. The greeting was profusely addressed to the Magnificent Seven. Seven badminton players who are considered heroes in the world of Indonesian sports.
"This victory clearly incised a new history in the course of Indonesian history. For this reason, a reader of Sin Po in Jakarta named R. Marto, then suggested that the Indonesian badminton teams could be given a token of currency through the money collected through the newspaper. The Sin Po Reader's Wallet of Token for the Indonesian Thomas Cup Team' is open for several weeks, where all levels of society can contribute, from ministers to farmers.”
“Finally on August 7, 1958, at Mambo Restaurant, Melawai Street No. 8 Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta, the tokens were handed over to all members of the Indonesian Thomas Cup. The tokens were in the form of seven watches from the 'Polarouter Universal Geneve' brand, which were the most prominent watches in the world at that time,” explained Ravando Lie to VOI, December 7.
*Read other information about BADMINTON or read other interesting articles from Detha Arya Tifada.